# \`ping\` node error. Can someone make sense of it?

**URL:** <https://discourse.nodered.org/t/ping-node-error-can-someone-make-sense-of-it/37782>\
**Category:** General\
**Created:** [20 December 2020 03:25 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/ping-node-error-can-someone-make-sense-of-it/37782 "2020-12-20T03:25:22Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Trying\_to\_learn](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/trying_to_learn/32/28400_2.png) [@Trying\_to\_learn](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Trying_to_learn)\
**Post date:** [20 December 2020 03:25 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/ping-node-error-can-someone-make-sense-of-it/37782/1 "2020-12-20T03:25:23Z")

</div>

This is what I am seeing:

```auto
===================
When 2020-12-20 14:10:13
Who ERROR_REPORT/BedPi/ERROR_REPORT/BedPi/ADSL Monitor/192.168.0.93
Where 2f482da9.038802
What Error: spawn EIO
===================

```

Node: `node-red-contrib-advanced-ping` 1.2.0

It just CRASHED and the log file is `63150` size and is mostly that error from today.  
I did a `cat` on the file and there were a few, but only a few pages down it was today's date.

So something died badly.

Is this thing (what ever it is/was) common?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Colin](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/colin/32/17040_2.png) [@Colin](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Colin)\
**Post date:** [20 December 2020 07:45 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/ping-node-error-can-someone-make-sense-of-it/37782/2 "2020-12-20T07:45:35Z")

</div>

What error are you seeing in the node red log when it crashes?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Trying\_to\_learn](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/trying_to_learn/32/28400_2.png) [@Trying\_to\_learn](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Trying_to_learn)\
**Post date:** [20 December 2020 08:31 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/ping-node-error-can-someone-make-sense-of-it/37782/3 "2020-12-20T08:31:28Z")

</div>

Oh. ☹

It was on a remote machine and looking at `/var/log/syslog` there isn't much to be seen at the time shown which gets my attention.

There are things I need to check. But not specifically for that.

I can't find a specific node-red logs.

This is where I am looking:

```auto
# Most logs are:
NR logs are in /var/log/
# also NPM logs are in:
~/.npm/_logs/......
it is stored in two flies:
node-red.log
and syslog
nodered-install.log is for install stuff.

# Node-Red install log errors, etc are in:
/var/log/nodered-install.log

```

First place: nothing from node-red except install logs.

`~/.npm/_logs/.....` Nothing exciting either.

The machine just kind of fell over and started spitting out errors at a fairly fast speed.  
(Though I have code to stop runaway errors and that wasn't activated.)

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![zenofmud](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/zenofmud/32/316_2.png) [@zenofmud](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/zenofmud)\
**Post date:** [20 December 2020 09:33 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/ping-node-error-can-someone-make-sense-of-it/37782/4 "2020-12-20T09:33:56Z")

</div>

That node hasn't had an update in 6 years and the author stated on October 25 (in an issue on GitHub)  
`Hi, unfortunately I'm not actively maintaining this....`

You might want to reassess your use of this node...

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Trying\_to\_learn](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/trying_to_learn/32/28400_2.png) [@Trying\_to\_learn](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Trying_to_learn)\
**Post date:** [20 December 2020 09:35 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/ping-node-error-can-someone-make-sense-of-it/37782/5 "2020-12-20T09:35:04Z")

</div>

Yeah. I may.

Thanks.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Steve-Mcl](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/steve-mcl/32/4826_2.png) [@Steve-Mcl](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Steve-Mcl)\
**Post date:** [20 December 2020 09:39 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/ping-node-error-can-someone-make-sense-of-it/37782/6 "2020-12-20T09:39:12Z")

</div>

What is wrong with [node-red-node-ping](https://flows.nodered.org/node/node-red-node-ping) maintained by node-red guys?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Trying\_to\_learn](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/trying_to_learn/32/28400_2.png) [@Trying\_to\_learn](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Trying_to_learn)\
**Post date:** [20 December 2020 09:40 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/ping-node-error-can-someone-make-sense-of-it/37782/7 "2020-12-20T09:40:30Z")

</div>

It doesn't support an input array for multiple IP addresses.... Or it didn't which is why I used the other one.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Steve-Mcl](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/steve-mcl/32/4826_2.png) [@Steve-Mcl](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Steve-Mcl)\
**Post date:** [20 December 2020 09:45 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/ping-node-error-can-someone-make-sense-of-it/37782/8 "2020-12-20T09:45:11Z")

</div>

> [@Trying\_to\_learn](#):
>
> It doesn't support an input array for multiple IP addresses

From the readme ...

> ### Usage
> 
> Pings 1 or more devices` .

Built in help...

 ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/uploads/nodered/original/3X/4/2/42b783fa3be416383cb4b5a44c8642ac766a9a60.png)

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Trying\_to\_learn](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/trying_to_learn/32/28400_2.png) [@Trying\_to\_learn](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Trying_to_learn)\
**Post date:** [20 December 2020 09:48 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/ping-node-error-can-someone-make-sense-of-it/37782/9 "2020-12-20T09:48:07Z")

</div>

Ok, maybe my bad.

But can the IP numbers be sent in a message as an array?

In a message something like (or exactly like - from the now working code)

```auto
[{"id":"1b940e01.2b39fa","type":"function","z":"c636aa5a.cc34","name":"check list","func":"var checks = [\n {'topic':'Blacksheep', 'addr':\"192.168.0.1\"},\n {'topic':'Relay Board1', 'addr':\"192.168.0.21\"},\n {'topic':'W.I.B', 'addr':\"192.168.0.34\"},\n {'topic':'MusicPi', 'addr': \"192.168.0.82\"}, \n {'topic':'BedPi', 'addr': \"192.168.0.83\"}, \n {'topic':'PiFace', 'addr': \"192.168.0.86\"},\n {'topic':'EyeSpyPi', 'addr': \"192.168.0.89\"},\n {'topic':'CameraPi', 'addr': \"192.168.0.91\"},\n {'topic':'PortaPi', 'addr': \"192.168.0.92\"},\n {'topic':'TelePi', 'addr': \"192.168.0.93\"},\n {'topic':'BeefPi', 'addr': \"192.168.0.94\"},\n {'topic':'TimePi', 'addr': \"192.168.0.99\"},\n {'topic':'SG NAS', 'addr': \"192.168.0.200\"},\n {'topic':'Thecus', 'addr': \"192.168.0.201\"},\n {'topci':'Nas-T-Nuc', 'addr': \"192.168.0.202\"},\n {'topic':'Beyonwiz', 'addr':\"192.168.0.211\"},\n {'topic':'TIVX', 'addr':\"192.168.0.212\"},\n {'topic':'Lab', 'addr':\"192.168.0.221\"},\n {'topic':'1801 Router', 'addr':\"192.168.0.222\"},\n {'topic':'LinkSys', 'addr':\"192.168.0.250\"},\n {'topic':'Printer', 'addr': \"192.168.0.253\"},\n {'topic':'Gateway', 'addr': \"192.168.0.254\"},\n {'topic':'UpLink', 'addr': \"58.162.26.75\"},\n// {'topic':'(E) WiFi WAP1','addr': \"192.168.1.1\"},\n// {'topic':'Network', 'addr': \"192.168.1.2\"},\n// {'topic':'Network', 'addr': \"192.168.1.3\"},\n// {'topic':'Network', 'addr': \"192.168.1.4\"},\n// {'topic':'Network', 'addr': \"192.168.1.5\"},\n// {'topic':'Network', 'addr': \"192.168.1.6\"},\n// {'topic':'Network', 'addr': \"192.168.1.7\"},\n// {'topic':'Network', 'addr': \"192.168.1.8\"},\n// {'topic':'Network', 'addr': \"192.168.1.9\"},\n// {'topic':'Network', 'addr': \"192.168.1.10\"},\n// {'topic':'Network', 'addr': \"192.168.1.11\"},\n// {'topic':'Network', 'addr': \"192.168.1.12\"},\n// {'topic':'Network', 'addr': \"192.168.1.13\"},\n// {'topic':'Network', 'addr': \"192.168.1.14\"},\n];\n\nfor ( var i in checks ) {\n node.send({\n \"topic\" : checks[i].topic,\n \"host\" : checks[i].addr,\n });\n}","outputs":1,"noerr":0,"x":220.55557250976562,"y":509.9999694824219,"wires":[["4c92b542.a0e02c","26861d2d.06802a"]]}]

```

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Steve-Mcl](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/steve-mcl/32/4826_2.png) [@Steve-Mcl](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Steve-Mcl)\
**Post date:** [20 December 2020 09:51 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/ping-node-error-can-someone-make-sense-of-it/37782/10 "2020-12-20T09:51:01Z")

</div>

> [@Trying\_to\_learn](#):
>
> But can the IP numbers be sent in a message as an array?

![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/uploads/nodered/original/3X/c/b/cba16ef4a9f573b4cc8569cbcd8b2098f9bf1ad9.png)

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Trying\_to\_learn](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/trying_to_learn/32/28400_2.png) [@Trying\_to\_learn](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Trying_to_learn)\
**Post date:** [20 December 2020 09:52 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/ping-node-error-can-someone-make-sense-of-it/37782/11 "2020-12-20T09:52:05Z")

</div>

**I'm silly**.

Sorry.

I shall have to find time to implement the node.

Thanks.

Errr..... Where is the input to the node?

![Screenshot from 2020-12-20 20-58-14](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/uploads/nodered/original/3X/c/e/ce3672e07f09972ebcbe1a1fa3360381b64e5b0a.png)

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Steve-Mcl](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/steve-mcl/32/4826_2.png) [@Steve-Mcl](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Steve-Mcl)\
**Post date:** [20 December 2020 09:56 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/ping-node-error-can-someone-make-sense-of-it/37782/12 "2020-12-20T09:56:47Z")

</div>

> [@Trying\_to\_learn](#):
>
> I shall have to find time to implement the node

Not really that difficult....

 ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/uploads/nodered/original/3X/1/e/1e03c44a78debcd8cdec06a0e6da0dfde804f758.png)

 ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/uploads/nodered/original/3X/0/a/0a65a81073436b6d7883e760016ce1de67d95783.png)

```auto
[{"id":"4fb38373.f11a3c","type":"ping","z":"5e6c8b.7f38b374","mode":"triggered","name":"","host":"","timer":"20","inputs":1,"x":514,"y":672,"wires":[["154bbc1c.57c624","15fe188d.f15fa7"]]},{"id":"1b940e01.2b39fa","type":"function","z":"5e6c8b.7f38b374","name":"check list","func":"var checks = [\n {'topic':'Blacksheep', 'host':\"192.168.0.1\"},\n {'topic':'Relay Board1', 'host':\"192.168.0.21\"},\n {'topic':'W.I.B', 'host':\"192.168.0.34\"},\n {'topic':'MusicPi', 'host': \"192.168.0.82\"}, \n {'topic':'BedPi', 'host': \"192.168.0.83\"}, \n {'topic':'PiFace', 'host': \"192.168.0.86\"},\n {'topic':'EyeSpyPi', 'host': \"192.168.0.89\"},\n {'topic':'CameraPi', 'host': \"192.168.0.91\"},\n {'topic':'PortaPi', 'host': \"192.168.0.92\"},\n {'topic':'TelePi', 'host': \"192.168.0.93\"},\n {'topic':'BeefPi', 'host': \"192.168.0.94\"},\n {'topic':'TimePi', 'host': \"192.168.0.99\"},\n {'topic':'SG NAS', 'host': \"192.168.0.200\"},\n {'topic':'Thecus', 'host': \"192.168.0.201\"},\n {'topci':'Nas-T-Nuc', 'host': \"192.168.0.202\"},\n {'topic':'Beyonwiz', 'host':\"192.168.0.211\"},\n {'topic':'TIVX', 'host':\"192.168.0.212\"},\n {'topic':'Lab', 'host':\"192.168.0.221\"},\n {'topic':'1801 Router', 'host':\"192.168.0.222\"},\n {'topic':'LinkSys', 'host':\"192.168.0.250\"},\n {'topic':'Printer', 'host': \"192.168.0.253\"},\n {'topic':'Gateway', 'host': \"192.168.0.254\"},\n {'topic':'UpLink', 'host': \"58.162.26.75\"},\n// {'topic':'(E) WiFi WAP1','host': \"192.168.1.1\"},\n// {'topic':'Network', 'host': \"192.168.1.2\"},\n// {'topic':'Network', 'host': \"192.168.1.3\"},\n// {'topic':'Network', 'host': \"192.168.1.4\"},\n// {'topic':'Network', 'host': \"192.168.1.5\"},\n// {'topic':'Network', 'host': \"192.168.1.6\"},\n// {'topic':'Network', 'host': \"192.168.1.7\"},\n// {'topic':'Network', 'host': \"192.168.1.8\"},\n// {'topic':'Network', 'host': \"192.168.1.9\"},\n// {'topic':'Network', 'host': \"192.168.1.10\"},\n// {'topic':'Network', 'host': \"192.168.1.11\"},\n// {'topic':'Network', 'host': \"192.168.1.12\"},\n// {'topic':'Network', 'host': \"192.168.1.13\"},\n// {'topic':'Network', 'host': \"192.168.1.14\"},\n];\nmsg.payload = checks\nreturn msg;","outputs":1,"noerr":0,"initialize":"","finalize":"","x":364,"y":672,"wires":[["4fb38373.f11a3c"]]},{"id":"4808f716.c062a8","type":"inject","z":"5e6c8b.7f38b374","name":"","props":[{"p":"payload"},{"p":"topic","vt":"str"}],"repeat":"","crontab":"","once":false,"onceDelay":0.1,"topic":"","payload":"","payloadType":"date","x":202,"y":672,"wires":[["1b940e01.2b39fa"]]},{"id":"dbc2b2c6.a08fe","type":"debug","z":"5e6c8b.7f38b374","name":"","active":true,"tosidebar":true,"console":false,"tostatus":false,"complete":"true","targetType":"full","statusVal":"","statusType":"auto","x":994,"y":672,"wires":[]},{"id":"154bbc1c.57c624","type":"change","z":"5e6c8b.7f38b374","name":"","rules":[{"t":"set","p":"ping.result","pt":"msg","to":"payload","tot":"msg"},{"t":"set","p":"payload","pt":"msg","to":"ping","tot":"msg"}],"action":"","property":"","from":"","to":"","reg":false,"x":688,"y":672,"wires":[["6db7371b.e0cc98"]]},{"id":"6db7371b.e0cc98","type":"join","z":"5e6c8b.7f38b374","name":"","mode":"custom","build":"object","property":"payload","propertyType":"msg","key":"topic","joiner":"\\n","joinerType":"str","accumulate":false,"timeout":"6","count":"23","reduceRight":false,"reduceExp":"","reduceInit":"","reduceInitType":"","reduceFixup":"","x":850,"y":672,"wires":[["dbc2b2c6.a08fe"]]},{"id":"15fe188d.f15fa7","type":"debug","z":"5e6c8b.7f38b374","name":"","active":true,"tosidebar":true,"console":false,"tostatus":true,"complete":"true","targetType":"full","statusVal":"ping","statusType":"msg","x":658,"y":720,"wires":[]}]

```

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Steve-Mcl](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/steve-mcl/32/4826_2.png) [@Steve-Mcl](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Steve-Mcl)\
**Post date:** [20 December 2020 09:58 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/ping-node-error-can-someone-make-sense-of-it/37782/13 "2020-12-20T09:58:59Z")

</div>

> [@Trying\_to\_learn](#):
>
> Errr..... Where is the input to the node?

Set to triggered mode as I highlighted in the first screenshot.

 ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/uploads/nodered/original/3X/e/c/ec6f36423fced62ad7b79bba4adeecebe8061d0a.png)

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Trying\_to\_learn](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/trying_to_learn/32/28400_2.png) [@Trying\_to\_learn](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Trying_to_learn)\
**Post date:** [20 December 2020 10:03 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/ping-node-error-can-someone-make-sense-of-it/37782/14 "2020-12-20T10:03:07Z")

</div>

It isn't my day is it?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Steve-Mcl](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/steve-mcl/32/4826_2.png) [@Steve-Mcl](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Steve-Mcl)\
**Post date:** [20 December 2020 10:04 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/ping-node-error-can-someone-make-sense-of-it/37782/15 "2020-12-20T10:04:33Z")

</div>

Im guessing you are tired Andrew 😉

You'll get there.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Trying\_to\_learn](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/trying_to_learn/32/28400_2.png) [@Trying\_to\_learn](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Trying_to_learn)\
**Post date:** [20 December 2020 10:08 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/ping-node-error-can-someone-make-sense-of-it/37782/16 "2020-12-20T10:08:00Z")

</div>

(and alas, the machine keeps hanging and I have to reboot every 5 minutes)

Thanks Steve.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Trying\_to\_learn](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/trying_to_learn/32/28400_2.png) [@Trying\_to\_learn](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Trying_to_learn)\
**Post date:** [26 December 2020 00:22 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/ping-node-error-can-someone-make-sense-of-it/37782/17 "2020-12-26T00:22:54Z")

</div>

Ok, here's an update.

Yes, the `ping` node has had a lot of work done to it and I haven't been keeping up with it.

I started modifying my flows to use the standard `ping` node and things weren't working as expected.

# _What??!!_\*

Hmmm.... _thinking_ and looking more closely at the messages.

# ARGH!

The `ping` node strips away any extra stuff on a message.

So if I am sending something like:

`{"name":"test","payload":"192.168.0.1"}`

The `name` isn't getting through.

So it is _one step forward, one backward_.

I am now stuck between a rock and a hard place as this is used on all/most of my machines and is used to monitor network connectivity.

I'll put this (with slight editing) in the feature request section too.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Steve-Mcl](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/steve-mcl/32/4826_2.png) [@Steve-Mcl](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Steve-Mcl)\
**Post date:** [26 December 2020 08:35 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/ping-node-error-can-someone-make-sense-of-it/37782/18 "2020-12-26T08:35:38Z")

</div>

> [@Trying\_to\_learn](#):
>
> The `ping` node strips away any extra stuff on a message.

The full object payload is passed through if you send an array.

 ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/uploads/nodered/original/3X/3/9/39aa67c8d196b9f42d7251630ef8374f591a5626.png)

 ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/uploads/nodered/original/3X/3/9/39aa67c8d196b9f42d7251630ef8374f591a5626.png)

 ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/uploads/nodered/original/3X/5/4/54f405382947409ee9095deaca709170747ec6a4.png)

* * *

> [@Trying\_to\_learn](#):
>
> So if I am sending something like:
> 
> `{"name":"test","payload":"192.168.0.1"}`

The options according to help is "String" or "Array" (object is not an expected format)

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Trying\_to\_learn](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/trying_to_learn/32/28400_2.png) [@Trying\_to\_learn](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Trying_to_learn)\
**Post date:** [26 December 2020 08:40 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/ping-node-error-can-someone-make-sense-of-it/37782/19 "2020-12-26T08:40:00Z")

</div>

That is interesting.

I am sure I tried that.

Not that specifically, but but I did look at the outbound messages from the `ping` node and didn't notice that extra thing.

I get that I am really not doing a good job of reading instructions. (But I'm male and this is supposedly _the norm'_ for this to happen.

I guess I really need to get rid of some of these other things which are stressing me out.

Ok, this is interesting.

NR 1.2.6.  
`ping` node: 0.2.2

Flow:

```auto
[{"id":"3b687c80.466ac4","type":"inject","z":"ed217a75.2f6d9","name":"","props":[{"p":"payload"},{"p":"topic","vt":"str"}],"repeat":"","crontab":"","once":false,"onceDelay":0.1,"topic":"","payload":"","payloadType":"date","x":760,"y":300,"wires":[["b77c0b6e.acbbf8"]]},{"id":"b77c0b6e.acbbf8","type":"function","z":"ed217a75.2f6d9","name":"check list","func":"var checks = [\n {'topic':'Gateway', 'addr': \"192.168.0.254\"},\n {'topic':'UpLink', 'addr': \"58.162.26.75\"},\n {'topic':'test', 'addr': \"192.168.0.1\"},\n];\n\nfor ( var i in checks ) {\n// node.send({\n// \"topic\" : checks[i].topic,\n// \"host\" : checks[i].addr,\n// });\n node.send({\n \"name\" : checks[i].topic,\n \"payload\" : checks[i].addr,\n// \"host\" : checks[i].addr,\n });\n}","outputs":1,"noerr":0,"initialize":"","finalize":"","x":922,"y":300,"wires":[["3f675785.42c09","b2cdfa45.62864"]]},{"id":"3f675785.42c09","type":"ping","z":"ed217a75.2f6d9","mode":"triggered","name":"","host":"","timer":"20","inputs":1,"x":1072,"y":300,"wires":[["27d43f77.7e7e9","effb28cc.7e1c5"]]},{"id":"27d43f77.7e7e9","type":"debug","z":"ed217a75.2f6d9","name":"Out","active":true,"tosidebar":true,"console":false,"tostatus":false,"complete":"true","targetType":"full","statusVal":"","statusType":"auto","x":1212,"y":230,"wires":[]}]

```

I don't see a `.ping` on the message.

Message:

```auto
{"payload":9.14,"topic":"58.162.26.75","_msgid":"b9d4a39d.f0fa5"}

```

This is what I see on the screen.

 ![Screenshot from 2020-12-26 19-50-57](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/uploads/nodered/original/3X/5/f/5f0e6987eae9a455794750c6643b38b17aa2e46d.png)

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Steve-Mcl](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/steve-mcl/32/4826_2.png) [@Steve-Mcl](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Steve-Mcl)\
**Post date:** [26 December 2020 09:56 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/ping-node-error-can-someone-make-sense-of-it/37782/20 "2020-12-26T09:56:05Z")

</div>

As the built in help says "string" or "array"

Under the "array" mode, additional properties are sent back to you in `msg.ping`

![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/uploads/nodered/original/3X/e/5/e586b5d3cbd19e2dfa92a60f6bfb52632f6e8d86.png)

If you change function to send an array...

![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/uploads/nodered/original/3X/9/6/96264df4d6a4898a40a8b2d12e96e5fdee66f489.png)

you will get this...

 ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/uploads/nodered/original/3X/6/f/6fb35fc0475b90d08d09d0ceecf8c1d58ec477bb.png)

[Next page](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/ping-node-error-can-someone-make-sense-of-it/37782.md?page=2)